The leap.

by Dan FallakNovember 05, 2012

I'm standing at the edge of the open door on an airplane that is thousands of feet above the earth. The landscape below does not look real, but that is only because I've never looked at it from this perspective before. I'm terrified. I'm excited.

A million thoughts cross my mind with every second that passes. What do I do? Do I jump? Should I step back inside the plane, where it safe and get back on solid ground with what I'm familiar with? On the other hand I know if I jump it will be amazing, an experience - a ride that I will never forget. With every tick of the clock, my window to jump is closing. I need to decide. It's now or never. Jump and experience one of the most exhilarating thrills of my life and hope my parachute opens, or, shut the door and possibly regret it forever...

Decision time... I jump.

Actually I've never been skydiving before. I really have no desire to. But, I feel like I have, and that is because a week ago I resigned from my safe, reliable, familiar job in the public service. I took the leap to be my own boss, to build a company of my own, to be VersaTile. So here I am falling at an incredible speed, hurtling towards the earth below. I feel liberated. I feel free. I feel like me. Finally.

Who knows how long this fall will last before my parachute opens. If it opens.

But for now, I'll just enjoy the ride.

- Dan

* A special thanks to my loving wife Kelly, and to my family and friends for giving me a little push as I jumped. *